Wire-gate fastener.



,, Patented Feb. ll, I902.

, A. EDWARDS. WIRE GATE FASTENER.

(Application filed. May 25, 1901.)

(No Model.)

Q Vitmzooeo v cu, PHGT UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABLE EDWARDS, OF RANGE, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY.

WIRE-GATE FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,996, dated February 1 1,- 1902.

Application filed May 25, 1901- To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ABLE EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Range, in the countyof Beaver, Territory of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Gate Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to gate-closers, and

'more particularly to that class used in connection with wire gates; and it has for its object to provide a construction by means of which the gate may be easily opened and closed, a further object of the invention being to provide simple and efficient means for holding the gate in closed position. In certain parts of the United States the roadways are fenced with wire fencing, and it is important that a gate be provided which can be easily opened or closed bya woman or child.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the gate in closed position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the gate in closed position. Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the gate in open position.

Referring now to the drawings, 5 and 6 re present the posts at opposite sides of the gateway, while 7 represents a sill connecting the posts, it being understood from the following description that the sill may be omitted, if desired. Upon the gate-post 16 are secured the straps 9, which are passed around one end upright 10 of a gate, said upright having grooves therein to receive the straps. The gate includes also a second upright 11, connected with the upright 10 by means of wires 12, and when the gate is in closed position the foot of the upright 11 is engaged behind a block 13, which may be secured upon the sill 7 or anchored in the ground, and when the foot of the upright 11 is behind this block the upper end of the upright may be moved away from the upright 10 or in the direction of the gate-post 5 to place the wires 12 under tension. To thus move the upright 11 and to hold it with the wires under tension, a

Windlass is provided and consists of a double Serial No. 61,938. (No model.)

drum, including the members 14: and 15, having flanges 16 and 17, respectively, at their outer ends, while their inner or adjacent ends are separated by the flange 18. Through the flange 18 is passed a rope 19, one end of which is wound upon the drum member 14 and the extremity thereof is attached to the upper end of the upright 11, while the extremity of the other end of the rope is attached to the post 5 and hangs loosely between the drum member and the post 5 when the opposite portion of the rope is wound on the drum member 14 to hold the gate taut. To hold the drums against rotation after they have been operated to wind up the rope upon the member 14, a ratchet-wheel 20 is mounted upon the outer end of the member 14, and codperating therewith is a gravity-pawl 22, mounted upon one of the brackets 23, which support the shaft of the winding-drum. If the pawl be raised from engagement with the ratchet-wheel, the gate will be released, and the upright 11 may be carried bodily beyond the upright 10, so as to open the gateway. WVhen the upright 11 is thus carried, the rope is drawn off from the drum member 14, so that said member, and therewith the member 15, is rotated, and the rope that formerlyhung slack between the flange 18 and the post 5 is wound upon the drum 15. Therefore when it is desired to close the gate it is only necessary to grasp the rope andpull it to unwind it from the drum 15, at which time the drum 14: will be rotated to wind the opposite end of the rope thereon and draw the upright 11 into closed position. Thev foot of the upright 11 is of course engaged behind the block 13, so that the gate may stand in proper position, and the gravity-pawl acts to hold the drums against return movement when the operatingrope is released.

With this construction it will be seen that Y to release the gate it is only necessary to lift the gravity-pawl, which is so pivoted as to be operated with the expenditure of very little energy, while toclose the gate it is only necessary to pull on the rope, it being noted that the drum member 14:, on which the rope is wound to close the gate, is of less diameter thanthe member 15, and thus the leverage is increased. When the gate is open, it is only necessary to pass the rope behind the gatepost at the hinge side, and then by drawing on the rope it may be stretched tight across the gate-opening to prevent large animals from passing.

It is obvious that the rope 19 will extend across the gate-opening at all times when the gate is open and will partially obstruct it.

In practice modifications of the specific construction shown may be made and any suitable materials and proportions may be used for the various parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is-- 1. The combination with a gate including spaced uprights having connecting-wires, of a double drum, a rope wound upon one member of the drum and attached at its free end to an upright of the gate to rotate the drum when said upright is moved, said rope having its opposite end disposed to wind upon the second drum member when the firstnamed portion of the rope is unwound from end portions of the rope being disposed for.

alternate winding as the drum is rotated alternately in opposite directions, and a pawland-ratchet mechanism for holding the drum against return movement.

In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name, in the-presence of two subscribing witnesses, on the 20th day of March, 1901.

ABLE ED\VARDS.

\Vitnesses:

MATIE A, SALTER, WM. 11. SALTER. 

